Illumination readies ‘I Hop’

Comedy about Easter Bunny's replacement

Illumination Entertainment has fast tracked “I Hop,” a comedy that will be the Universal-based family film supplier’s first live-action feature.

Script by Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio focuses on an out-of-work slacker who, while driving home late one night, runs over the Easter Bunny. When the bunny can’t hop because his leg is broken, the slacker must train to take over the job and save Easter.

Illumination topper Chris Meledandri will produce with John Cohen, and U is eyeing a spring 2010 release for the film.

Cohen hatched the idea for the film. Illumination is looking for a star to play the slacker, and another to voice the Easter Bunny.

Meledandri, who as Fox Animation chief worked with Paul and Daurio on “Horton Hears a Who,” has also hired the duo to script Illumination’s first animated project, “Despicable Me,” which will be released by Universal in summer 2010.